Prevalence and factors associated with thriving in older adulthood: a 10-year population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Interest in the determinants of "successful aging" is growing. Nonetheless, successful aging remains ill defined, and its appropriate measurement is hotly contested. Most studies have focused on the absence of disability or deficits in physical performance as outcomes. The present study extends this research by using the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3), a multidimensional measure of health status, to examine the maintenance of exceptionally good health among older participants in the Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994--2004).


METHODS
The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age was examined prospectively among 2432 individuals (65-85 years old at baseline) who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were classified into one of four health trajectories: thrivers (who maintained exceptional health with no or only mild disability), nonthrivers (who experienced a moderate or severe disability), the deceased, and the institutionalized.


RESULTS
In 10 years of follow-up, 190 (8%) were thrivers (HUI3 score > or = 0.89 at all interviews), 1076 (47%) were nonthrivers, 893 (36%) died, and 273 (9%) were institutionalized. The maintenance of exceptionally good health among the elderly participants was related to younger age at baseline, socioeconomic status (higher income), psychosocial factors (including lower psychological distress), and behavioral factors (never smoked and moderate alcohol use).


CONCLUSIONS
The maintenance of exceptionally good health in old age is related, at least in part, to modifiable lifestyle factors. However, elevated socioeconomic status also distinguishes those who are able to maintain exceptionally good health.
Kaplan
Mark S
MS
School of Community Health, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207, USA. kaplanm@pdx.ed.
Huguet
Nathalie
N
Orpana
Heather
H
Feeny
David
D
McFarland
Bentson H
BH
Ross
Nancy
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life